Payroll & Accounts Payable Specialist

Not every accounting professional wants a 40-hour-a-week corporate routine. If you are organized, detail-driven, and looking for part-time work with genuine variety and real responsibility then this role is worth a close look. The Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS) is hiring an Accounting & Payroll Specialist to join a small, experienced and very capable finance team that supports one of the most active community venues in Western New York. This is hands-on work that matters and it comes with a schedule built for flexibility outside of our peak event season.

ABOUT ECAS

The Erie County Agricultural Society has been part of Western New York since 1819 — the oldest civic organization in the region and the producers of the Erie County Fair, the third largest county fair in the United States. Beyond the Fair, we produce the Festival of Lights livestock shows, scholarship programs, and year-round community events on our 340-acre Hamburg campus.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a part-time position offering 16 to 24 hours per week and built around the operational needs of a year-round event organization. You will work closely with the Senior Accountant and Controller, supporting payroll processing, accounts payable, daily transaction entry, and reconciliations across the full scope of ECAS programming. For the right candidate, there is opportunity for growth of this position into a full-time role. The work has real variety. Payroll for a workforce that scales significantly during event season. AP across established vendors that are viewed as partners with well established relationships. Reconciliations tied to a calendar that includes concerts, a 12-day fair, and a winter festival. No two months are exactly the same and that is part of what makes this role appealing to the right person.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Process payroll including timesheet review, earnings, deductions, and payroll reports Maintain accurate payroll records and employee compensation data Track and record employee time-off; support new employee payroll setup and onboarding Record and code vendor invoices; process vendor payments per internal approval workflows Record credit card transactiondeferred revenue tracking Assist with audit preparation, 1s and maintain accurate general ledger entry Perform bank and credit card 099 tracking, and compliance documentation Collaborate with the finance team on reports and data requests from leadership

WHAT YOU BRING

Associate's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field — or equivalent hands-on experience One to three years of accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll processing experience Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks Basic understanding of GAAP Precise, reliable, and organized — you catch errors before they become problems Able to work independently and communicate proactively when something needs attention Experience with payroll for hourly, variable, or seasonal workforces is a meaningful plus

WHY THIS ROLE

Flexible part-time schedule — 16 to 24 hours per week outside of peak event periods Genuine variety across payroll, AP, reconciliations, and event-period accounting not repetitive data entry A collaborative, tight-knit finance team in a one-of-a-kind organization Work that connects directly to something the Western New York community shows up for, year after year Access to ECAS programming and events — the Fair, Festival of Lights, concerts, and more 207 years of organizational stability, mission clarity, and community trust

POSITION DETAILS

Location:

On-site — 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg, NY 14075

Schedule:

Part-time, 16-24 hours per week

Classification:

Non-Exempt Reports To:

Controller Event Availability:

All 12 days of the Erie County Fair (August) plus select evenings/weekends for the Festival of Lights and other events

Compensation:

Starting at $20.00 - $24.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications We review every application personally and will be in touch with candidates whose background aligns with what we are looking for. ECAS is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Pay:

$20.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

Flexible schedule Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person